Zita Fumagalli Riva

(Milano 1893 - Novellara 1994) She studied with Salvatore Cairone. Debuted in 1920 at the Teatro Dal Verme in Milan. In 1922 she sang at the Teatro Carcano in Milan and already in 1924 she appeared with big success at La Scala in ‘’Carmen’’. She had a significant career in the leading Italian opera houses up to 1930s; thus she appeared at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples, in Bologna, Turin, Venice and Arena di Verona. She lived after finishing her stage career as a pedagogue in Milan; Her notable pupils included Raina Kabaiwanska, Gianni Maffeo, Bonaldo Giaiotti, Leo Nucci, Ottavio Garaventa and Franco Tagliavini. Chronology of some appearances 1920 Milan Teatro Dal Verme Marken 1922 Milan Teatro Carcano Madama Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San) 1924 Milan Teatro La Scala Carmen (Micaela) 1926 Roma Teatro Costanzi Boheme (Mimì) 1928 La Spezia Politeama Duca di Genova Iris (Iris) 1930 Bologna Arena Italia Andea Chenier (Maddalena) 1933 Modena Teatro Municipale Manon (Manon) 1936 Ancona Teatro Delle Muse Sulamita